The Bible — God’s Word — is filled with examples of God’s people calling out to Him in prayer. And perhaps no other description of prayer is as inspirational, as breathtaking as the prayer found at the beginning of 1 Samuel.

Hannah—a barren woman who tells God she is “your servant”—prays to God for a child. But Hannah doesn’t just pray. The Bible tells us that “Hannah was praying in her heart” and Hannah herself describes her prayer as “pouring out my soul to the LORD” (1 Samuel 1:13-15).

Isn’t that beautiful, the Bible’s description of prayer as not some passive routine, but as something from the heart, from the soul?

Jewish tradition holds that the world stands on three pillars—Bible study, work, and acts of kindness. While the first and third pillars are obvious, the second refers to the Jewish definition of prayer—“the work of the heart.”

Thinking of prayer this way changes the act of praying itself…

Prayer is no longer us merely praising God or thanking God or asking God for what we want. The act of prayer transforms us as we pray, changing our hearts and creating a true connection with God.

This meaning of prayer—as work of the heart—is on our hearts as we share this special prayer booklet from Fellowship Founder Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, of blessed memory. In it, Rabbi Eckstein shares teachings on prayers from the Bible (including Hannah’s beautiful prayer), the Jewish perspective on prayer, and the power of prayer. 

The power of the work of the heart.

Download Work of the Heart, Rabbi Eckstein’s biblical lessons on the power of prayer.